This novel scientific approach shows remarkable effectiveness against obesity 🍔

A breakthrough in tackling obesity is emerging. A team of researchers appears to have found a novel solution based on nanoparticles.

These tiny capsules could influence how our body absorbs fats. An approach that could surpass current dietary and pharmaceutical interventions.


Rather than reducing the amount of fat consumed, the researchers decided to block its absorption. How? By targeting a specific enzyme in the digestive system, SOAT2.

This enzyme, sterol O-acyltransferase 2 (SOAT2), regulates fat absorption by facilitating its incorporation into the cells of the small intestine. When its action is blocked, the nanoparticles prevent fats from binding to intestinal cells, thus limiting their passage into the bloodstream.

Blocking SOAT2 causes the rapid degradation of the CD36 protein, which plays a key role in transporting fatty acids across intestinal cells. This process is triggered by an enzyme called E3 RNF5 ligase, which activates a mechanism for destroying CD36 within the cells. By reducing the amount of available CD36, the body absorbs less fat.

The core principle of this technique relies on the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules carried by nanoparticles. These specifically target the SOAT2 enzyme in the small intestine without disrupting the activity of other organs, particularly the liver. And this is a crucial point because if SOAT2 were blocked in the liver, it would cause fat accumulation in that organ, leading to associated health problems.

The initial tests on mice gave impressive results. Despite a high-fat diet, these animals did not gain weight thanks to the treatment. One of the major advantages of this therapy is its mode of administration. A simple pill would suffice, making the treatment more accessible and less invasive than current methods.

Researchers at Tongji University believe this approach could pave the way for new sustainable solutions to combat obesity. However, before considering human application, further tests on larger animals are necessary.

If this technology proves effective in humans, it could represent a significant breakthrough in the fight against obesity, a major public health issue.